CASE STUDY

Bushfire ‘hardening’ works and ember protection

RSL LIFECARE SITES - COASTAL NSW

October 2021 - December 2021

Building ‘hardening’ works implemented across high-risk buildings throughout NSW!

Travers bushfire & ecology (TBE) undertook a review of the key weaknesses of selected buildings that were at risk from bushfire attack.

Whilst some buildings were approved prior to Planning for Bushfire Protection (PBP) 2001, more recent DA’s had been approved under later PBP versions and hence already complied with standard construction requirements such as under AS3959 -2009/2018, and revealed that quite simple works could be undertaken to create airtight buildings and minimize the risk of ember attack by doing the following:

Demolished at-risk elements such as treated pine fixtures and decks were identified for future upgrades to the external building facades.
Replaced and installed metal ember screens.
Filling and sealing all external joints.
Old air condition holes filled in.
Installed of gutter guard to promote self-shedding of leaves.

RSL Lifecare properties included:

Narrabeen - ANZAC Village, Catalina Milne Bay, Connie Fall, Kokoda, Retirement Living
Tura Beach - Sanananda Park & Hugh Cunningham Gardens
Picton - John Goodlet Manor
Thirlmere - Agris Hutroff House , Taara Gardens
Galston - Mark Donaldson VC House & Rowland Village
Eden - Roy Wotton Gardens